tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post6538698820834086277..comments2024-02-23T11:23:45.971-05:00Comments on Lost Motorcyclist: My First Experience in a Socialized Medicine HospitalLost Motorcyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-28856548827107605932010-02-19T09:07:33.999-05:002010-02-19T09:07:33.999-05:00So, I take it, no winter riding this weekend? LOL!...So, I take it, no winter riding this weekend? <b>LOL!!</b><br /><br />My experience, and that of others I've spoken to, parallels your own. Certainly, there will be anecdotal stuff that suggests our health care system is in a state of collapse, but by and in large, the system does seem to work.<br /><br />In discussions with my American correspondents, I'm appalled by the level of credibility the U.S. 'health care industry' propaganda machine has established in their trashing of our system.<br /><br />What seldom gets mentioned in the U.S. is that we have a 'hybrid' system which, like the <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/driving-it-home/a-little-perspective-on-toyotas-recalls/article1473162/" rel="nofollow">Toyota Prius</a>, may have the occasional problem but on the whole works quite well.<br /><br />Our system is 'hybrid' in the sense that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Canada#Comparison_to_other_countries" rel="nofollow">approximately 70%</a> of health care costs are paid through the 'single payer' (i.e. government) system and the remaining 30+% is privately funded (i.e. if you 'want fries with that' in Canada, you can do so ;-)<br /><br />The primary difference between the Canadian solution and the American is 'universal access.' Admittedly, patients living in Newfoundland outports will have more restricted (physical) access than those in the GTA, but the system does cover the costs of all essential services, and people in Canada do not have to declare personal bankruptcy simply because they've had the misfortune to become ill.<br /><br />And our health care approach, although costing approximately <b>50% less</b> per person than the U.S. system manages to achieve better life expectancy and infant mortality rates.<br /><br />I hope your weekend, albeit with restricted movement, is not too uncomfortable. But the vernal equinox is only a matter of weeks away, and you'll soon be able to capitalize on your new level of riding comfort!Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.com